Combinations of opioid/TLR4 antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) for use in the treatment of pain

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are compositions for the treatment of pain comprising a first compound and a second compound, the first compound is an opioid antagonist that treats pain by blocking Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the second compound is acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) that enhances the pain treatment effect of the first compound. Examples of opioid antagonist include naltrexone and naloxone, synergistic pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in the treatment, prevention, and reversal of neuropathic and nociceptive pain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/837,099, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,548 on Aug. 4, 2015, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to combinations of an opioid/TLR4 antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) particularly those that exhibit a synergistic effect for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain.

BACKGROUND

It is well established in medical literature that treatments currently available for pain have limitations. Opioid drugs cause tolerance, dependence and side effects sufficiently serious to prompt recent action by the FDA to further restrict the drugs. Newly approved treatments, like the calcium channel alpha-2-delta ligands gabapentin and pregabalin and the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors milnacipran and duloxetine, require high doses to show nominal effectiveness, have a high dropout rate and carry many side effects.

This invention is a novel approach for the treatment of pain. It is directed to the treatment of neuropathic and nociceptive pain. One component of the combination is directed to reducing neuropathic pain and the allodynic component associated with nociceptive pain and the other component address nociceptive pain. Specific combination of drugs and the dosage needed to create that effect is the subject of the instant invention.

The unifying theory explaining neuropathic pain is the understanding that TLR4 are activated endogenously and trigger a pro-inflammatory cascade. That cascade is interrupted and in most cases eliminated by treatment using the systemic administration of an opioid/TLR4 antagonist, particularly naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) enhances the pain relief action of the opioid/TLR4 antagonist naltrexone. A specific synergistic dose range of the combination is herein presented.

In a dose finding study the combination of the opioid/TLR4 antagonist, naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP), acted synergistically, whether administered separately, one right after the other, or administered in combination.

Various μ-opioid receptor ligands have been tested and were found to also possess action as agonists or antagonists of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Toll-like receptors, found in the glia, are a class of receptors that play a key role in the innate immune system. They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity. Opioid agonists such as morphine act as TLR4 agonists, while opioid antagonists such as naloxone and naltrexone were found to be TLR4 antagonists. Activation of TLR4 by opioid agonists such as morphine leads to downstream release of inflammatory modulators including TNF-α and interleukin-1. Constant low-level release of these modulators is thought to reduce the efficacy of opioid drug treatment with time and to be involved in both the development of tolerance to opioid analgesic drugs and in the emergence of side effects such as hyperalgesia and allodynia which can become problems following extended use of opioid drugs.

Accordingly, the instant invention relates to μ-opioid receptor ligand as ligands of TLR4 as well and contemplates that allodynia is caused by activation of TLR4. Blockage of TLR4 accordingly will eliminate allodynia.

The best known opioid receptor antagonists are naloxone and naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. A dose of 50-300 mg once daily is recommended for most patients. Naloxone is an opioid inverse agonist: it is a drug used to counter the effects of opiate overdose.

Low dose naltrexone describes the off label use of naltrexone at doses less than 10 mg per day for indications other than chemical dependency or intoxication.

It has been suggested in the literature that low dose naltrexone exerts the opposite effect of naltrexone in full dose. While the full dose naltrexone blocks the opiate system, the low dose naltrexone promotes the production of endorphins by the mechanism of up regulation caused by partial opiate receptor blockage. The beneficial effect of naltrexone was attributed to the increase in endorphins. The beneficial effect of low dose naltrexone can be further explained by its antagonism of TLR4.

Other opioid receptor antagonists used in clinical or scientific practice that can also be used for the treatment of pain include but are not limited to the following: naloxone, nalmefene, norbinaltorphimine, nalorphine, methylnaltrexone, samidorphan, cyprodime, naltrindole, amentoflavone, naltriben, norbinaltorphimine, and the naltrexone metabolite 6-β-naltrexol.

Our understanding of pathological pain has primarily revolved around neuronal mechanisms. However, neighboring glia, were TLL4 reside, including astrocytes and microglia; have recently been recognized as powerful modulators of pain.

Studies show that TLRs can be activated not only by well-known “non-self” molecular signals but also by endogenous signals (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6 and NO) produced during chronic neuropathic pain states. Fibronectin, an endogenous TLR4 ligand that is produced in response to tissue injury, leads to an up regulation of the purinoceptor P2X4, which is expressed exclusively on microglia.

Several opioid antagonist drugs were found to act as antagonists for TLR4, including naloxone and naltrexone. However it was found that not only the “normal” (−) enantiomers, but also the “unnatural” (+) enantiomers of these drugs acted as TLR4 antagonists. The unnatural enantiomers of the opioid antagonists, (+)-naltrexone and (+)-naloxone, dextro-naltrexone and dextro-naloxone, have been discovered to act as selective antagonists of TLR4. Since (+)-naloxone and (+)-naltrexone lack affinity for opioid receptors, they do not block the effects of opioid analgesic drugs, and so can be used to counteract the TLR4-mediated side effects of opioid agonists without affecting analgesia. (+)-Naloxone was also found to be neuroprotective, and both (+)-naloxone and (+)-naltrexone are effective in their own right at treating symptoms of neuropathic pain in animal models.

Acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) or acetaminophen (used in the United States Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Iran) and paracetamol (used elsewhere) both come from a chemical name for the compound: para-acetylaminophenol and para-acetylaminophenol. In some contexts, it is simply abbreviated as APAP, for acetyl-para-aminophenol. Acetyl-para-aminophenol is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic. Acetyl-para-aminophenol is classified as a mild analgesic. It is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. In combination with opioid analgesics, acetyl-para-aminophenol can also be used in the management of more severe pain such as post-surgical pain and providing palliative care in advanced cancer patients. Though acetyl-para-aminophenol is used to treat inflammatory pain, it is not generally classified as an NSAID because it exhibits only weak anti-inflammatory activity.

To date, the mechanism of action of acetyl-para-aminophenol is not completely understood. The main mechanism proposed is the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), and recent findings suggest that it is highly selective for COX-2. While it has analgesic and antipyretic properties comparable to those of aspirin or other NSAIDs, its peripheral anti-inflammatory activity is usually limited by several factors, one of which is the high level of peroxides present in inflammatory lesions. However, in some circumstances, even peripheral anti-inflammatory activity comparable to NSAIDs can be observed.

Acetyl-para-aminophenol enhances the pain treatment effect of naltrexone by affecting nociceptive pain.

Nociceptive pain is caused by stimulation of peripheral nerve fibers that respond only to stimuli approaching or exceeding harmful intensity (nociceptors), and may be classified according to the mode of noxious stimulation. Deep somatic pain is initiated by stimulation of nociceptors in ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, fasciae and muscles, and is dull, aching, poorly localized pain. Examples include sprains and broken bones.

Allodynia is a clinical feature of many painful conditions, such as back pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, diabetic neuropathic pain, trigeminal neuralgia pain, phantom limb pain, complex regional pain syndrome pain, acute herpetic pain, post herpetic pain, causalgia pain, idiopathic pain, inflammatory pain, cancer pain, postoperative pain, fibromyalgia pain, headache pain, migraine pain, allodynia pain, vulvodynia pain, interstitial cystitis pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritic joint pain and tendinitis. It becomes apparent that allodynia plays a role in every kind of pain.

The unifying theory of allodynia, or “memory pain”, as allodynia may be described in lay terms, is the understanding that TLR4 are activated endogenously and trigger a pro-inflammatory cascade. That cascade is interrupted by the opioid/TLR4 antagonist drugs as claimed by the instant invention. Additionally, TLR4 antagonism can play a role in improving nociceptive pain as well by affecting the allodynic component of nociceptive pain.

Based upon this, the instant invention first teaches the use of an opioid/TLR4 antagonist, particularly naltrexone for its antagonism of the TLR4 and blocking release of inflammatory modulators. Secondly, the invention teaches use of acetyl-para-aminophenol, for its action on nociception and its anti-inflammatory action. The invention teaches that the combination is synergy as far as the effect on pain treatment.

The invention contemplates several forms of opioid antagonist selected from a group consisting of naltrexone, naloxone, nalmefene, norbinaltorphimine, nalorphine, methylnaltrexone, samidorphan, cyprodime, naltrindole, amentoflavone, naltriben, norbinaltorphimine, and metabolite 6-β-naltrexol and metabolites and pro drugs thereof, including all enantiomeric and epimeric forms as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates of any thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The instant invention is a synergistic combination product comprising a first compound and a second compound, where the first compound is an opioid antagonist that treats neuropathic pain by blocking receptor TLR4 and the second compound is a acetyl-para-aminophenol that treats nociceptive pain possibly by highly selective inhibition for cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). It enhances the pain treatment effect of the first compound. Another invention embodiment is a method for the treatment, prevention, and reversal of pain, neuropathic as well as nociceptive pain.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This invention provides a combination, comprising an opioid/TLR4 antagonist, and acetyl-para-aminophenol, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvate of any thereof.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising an opioid antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol. The opioid/TLR4 antagonist is selected from a group consisting of naltrexone, norbinaltorphimine, nalmefene, naloxone, nalorphine, methylnaltrexone, samidorphan, cyprodime, naltrindole, amentoflavone, naltriben, norbinaltorphimine, 6-β-naltrexol and metabolites thereof, including all enantiomeric and epimeric forms as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof, as well as pro drugs or metabolites thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates of any thereof.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising an opioid antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol, the opioid antagonist/TLR4 is naltrexone as well as pro drugs and all enantiomeric and epimeric forms, specifically, (+)-naltrexone (dextro-naltrexone), as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates of any thereof.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising an opioid antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol, the opioid antagonist/TLR4 is naltrexone in a sustained release formulation, as well as pro drugs thereof or any enantiomeric and epimeric forms thereof, as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates of any thereof.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising an opioid antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol, the opioid antagonist/TLR4 is (+)-naltrexone (dextro-naltrexone), as well as pro drugs thereof or any enantiomeric and epimeric forms thereof, as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates of any thereof.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol in a weight to weight combination range which responds to a synergistic combination range of the order of 2.25:325 parts by weight.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the dose range of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is about 0.004 Mg/kg-0.71 mg/kg per day.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is about 5 mg/kg-57 mg/kg per day.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the human dose range of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 0.25 mg-50 mg per day.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the human dose range of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 0.25 mg-25 mg per day.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the human dose range of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 0.25 mg-15 mg per day.

Another invention embodiment is a combination, comprising the human the dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 324 mg-4000 mg.

Another invention embodiment, is a combination, comprising the human dose range of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 0.25 mg-50 mg per day, and the human the dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is 324 mg-4000 mg, wherein said composition is formulated into a single fixed combination dosage form.

Another invention embodiment, comprising the composition is administered once, twice, three or four times through the day.

Another invention embodiment, comprising the therapeutically effective dose of the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically by such routes including but are not limited to mucosal, nasal, oral, parenteral, gastrointestinal, topical or sublingual routes.

Another invention embodiment comprising, said combination is in a single dosage form, and said single dosage form is in the form of tablets, lozenges, troches, hard candies, liquid, powders, sprays, creams, salves and suppositories.

Another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of neuropathic pain and inflammatory nociceptive pain, such as inflammatory arthritic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, diabetic neuropathic pain, trigeminal neuralgia pain, phantom limb pain, complex regional pain syndrome pain, acute herpetic pain, post herpetic pain, causalgia pain, idiopathic pain, inflammatory pain, cancer pain, postoperative pain, fibromyalgia pain, headache pain, migraine pain, allodynia pain, vulvodynia pain, interstitial cystitis pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritic joint pain and tendinitis.

In another invention embodiment the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is back pain.

In another invention embodiment the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is neuropathic pain.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is migraine headache.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is trigeminal neuralgia.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is vulvodynia.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is irritable bowel syndrome.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is post herpetic neuralgia.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of pain wherein said pain is diabetic neuropathy.

In another invention embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is used for the treatment, prevention and reversal of nociceptive pain with an allodynic component.

In another invention embodiment is a method of treating neuropathic, nociceptive and migraine pain in a mammal in need thereof; comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a combination comprising opioid/TLR4 antagonist and acetyl-para-aminophenol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

In another invention embodiment, the combination of naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and acetyl-para-amino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt solvate thereof may optionally be administered with one or more other pharmacologically active agents. Appropriate optional agents include: NSAID's e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, naprosyn, diclofenac, ketoprofen, tolmetin, sulindac, mefanamic acid, meclofenamic acid, diflunisal, flufenisal, piroxicam, sudoxicam, isoxicam, celecoxib, fofecoxib, flosulide, meloxicam, 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid, nabumetone, nimesulide, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, drugs with NMDA antagonist properties, tetrahydrocannabinol derivatives, antitussive, expectorants, decongestants, or antihistamines.

In another invention embodiment for non-human animal administration the term “pharmaceutical” as used herein may be replaced by “veterinary”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION. OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Pharmaceutical Composition

Naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol were evaluated alone and in combination on a human subject with the purpose of finding whether or not a combination of the two compounds offers a synergistic advantage for the pain treatment effect comparing the amounts used weight to weight.

The components of the combination were administered to a subject as follows, the naltrexone dose administered by itself was 4.5 mg and the acetyl-para-aminophenol dose administered by itself was 1000 mg, The naltrexone/acetyl-para-aminophenol combination dose was 2.25 mg/325 respectively. The pain treatment effect of naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol was evaluated one hour post-dose.

To determine synergy, the amounts of naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol administered alone were compared to the combination combined amounts. For proper weight to weight (w/w) comparison between naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol an adjustment for the higher potency of naltrexone was made based on the dose of each compound given by itself. Naltrexone is 222 times more potent than acetyl-para-aminophenol (1000/4.5=222). Naltrexone and acetyl-para-aminophenol were administered at fixed dose ratios of 2.25:325 to a human subject afflicted with neuropathic back pain.

Table 1 illustrates the naltrexone/acetyl-para-aminophenol ratio that exhibited weight to weight (w/w) synergy in a human subject. The 2.25:325 combination represents a 2-fold lower dose of naltrexone and 3-fold lower dose of acetyl-para-aminophenol when administered together.

TABLE 1 Naltrexone/acetyl-para-aminophenol Ratio And Weight to Weight (W/W) Synergy Total dose Naltrexone + naltrexone Adjusted acetyl-para- Potency acetyl-para- Naltrexone aminophenole Adjustment % reversal aminophenol Ratio mg mg (x222) of pain mg Interaction 4.5:0   4.50 — 1000 100 1000 —  0:800 — 1000 50 1000 — 1:90 2.25 325 500 100 500 + 325 = 825 Synergy

To summarize the naltrexone/acetyl-para-aminophenol synergistic effect, the invention teaches that the optimal contemplated naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, to acetyl-para-aminophenol, combination dosage ratio is 2.25:325, and this dosage ratio exhibits synergy of weight to weight proportion.

CITATION LIST

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That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, nociceptive pain with an allodynic component, migraine, inflammation, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, post herpetic neuralgia, or diabetic neuropathy in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising pharmacologically active agents, wherein any pharmacologically active agents in the composition consist of a synergistic ratio of naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, and acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, wherein the composition comprises a dose range of naltrexone of 0.25 mg-50 mg per day and a dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol of 325 mg-4000 mg per day.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, is in a sustained release formulation.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the naltrexone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof is (+)-naltrexone (dextro-naltrexone).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the naltrexone and the acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, are in a weight to weight combination range which corresponds to a synergistic combination of 2.25:325 parts by weight.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dose range of naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, is 0.004 mg/kg-0.71 mg/kg per day, and wherein the dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, is 5 mg/kg-57 mg/kg per day.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and the acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof are formulated into a single fixed combination dosage form.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the dose range of naltrexone is 0.25 mg-15 mg per day, and wherein the dose range of acetyl-para-aminophenol is 325 mg-4000 mg per day, wherein the naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and the acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof are formulated into a single fixed combination dosage form.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition is administered once, twice, three or four times through the day.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition is administered systemically, including but not limited to mucosal, nasal, oral, parenteral, gastrointestinal, topical or sublingual routes.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition comprises naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and acetyl-para-aminophenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof in a single dosage form, and wherein, said single dosage form is in the form of tablets, lozenges, troches, hard candies, liquid, powders, sprays, creams, salves or suppositories. 